Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack

Transcription

1 Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack

2 Acknowledgements The Research Passport system was first developed in Greater Manchester by a partnership of NHS organisations and the University of Manchester. A pilot project was undertaken in selected areas across the UK in 2006/7. The evaluation of the pilot and development work with a wide range of stakeholders has led to the issue of Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack. The purpose of the resource pack is to inform NHS and Higher Education organisations of a common approach towards issuing NHS honorary research contracts. Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack describes the Research Passport system. This new system will ensure that researchers obtain the correct checks to satisfy NHS organisations prior to undertaking research in the NHS. This resource pack sets out guidance and good practice standards. It is for individual NHS bodies to satisfy themselves as to the process used to carry out criminal record and other checks on honorary researchers. If an NHS body is in any doubt about such checks it should take such action as it considers necessary to confirm them. It is intended that we consult regularly on how Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack is functioning in order to make any necessary changes. Review of the resource pack will be taken forward by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration. I am grateful to all the organisations listed below and to the numerous individuals who have provided input and feedback on this resource pack. The UK Health Departments NHS R&D Forum members NHS Employers and their legal advisers UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) Universities UK Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Medical Schools Council (formerly CHMS) Dr Janet Messer On behalf of the UKCRC Working Group Please note this document has been formatted for double-sided printing.

3 Version Control Page/ Section Text change Reason Acknowledgements List of bodies involved moved into text To clarify their role in the development of the guidance Authorship more clearly attributed to UKCRC To clarify ownership of document Page 3 Section Text changed: Clarity 5.1 An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Page 6 - Section 4 Text changed: An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Clarity Page 8 Section and Page 10 Section 5.4 Page 16 - Section 4 Page 19 Section Page 20 Section Text changed: ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data Text deleted: Link to Information governance and honorary research contracts removed Text changed: ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data Text deleted: Link to Information governance and honorary research contracts removed Text changed: An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Text changed: ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data Text deleted: Link to Information governance and honorary research contracts removed Text changed: ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data Text deleted: Link to Information governance and honorary research contracts removed To clarify that systems for confidentiality arrangements extend beyond the Research Passport system This section is currently under review To clarify that systems for confidentiality arrangements extend beyond the Research Passport system This section is currently under review Clarity To clarify that systems for confidentiality arrangements extend beyond the Research Passport system This section is currently under review To clarify that systems for confidentiality arrangements extend beyond the Research Passport system This section is currently under review Page 21 Section Text changed: To clarify that systems for

4 5.6 ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data Text deleted: Link to Information governance and honorary research contracts removed Page 26 footnote 4 Page 67 Page 67 Page 69 Page 85 Page 88 Page 95 Text changed: In England and Wales, regulations under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006, as amended, specify the very limited circumstances when researchers may use identifiable patient information without consent. Text deleted: who will not require access to confidential patient information or Text deleted: such checks as are necessary have been carried out by your employer and that Text inserted: Your employer is responsible for ensuring such checks as are necessary have been carried out. Text changed: You are responsible for ensuring that such checks as you consider necessary for the clinical activities of your staff have been carried out, and we require you to undertake the necessary checks. Text inserted: We agree to accept the checks undertaken by you, in order to enable your employee(s) to undertake research activities in this NHS organisation. Text deleted: An unauthorised person is anyone who does not need to have access to the patient information in order to provide care to that individual. Text changed: You should always ensure that a secure system for transferring care records (or other personal information that identifies individuals) between sites is used, referring to any guidance that your organisation issues. Text changed: An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research confidentiality arrangements extend beyond the Research Passport system This section is currently under review To reflect updated regulations, and the transfer of the function of the Patient Information Advisory Group to the National Information Governance Board To clarify that the letter of access should be used where honorary research contracts are not required To clarify that responsibility for ensuring appropriate checks have been carried out is retained by employer To clarify that responsibility for ensuring appropriate checks have been carried out is retained by employer To clarify that level of access to confidential information should be defined by job role To reflect updated guidance on security arrangements from the Department of Health Clarity

5 Page 98 Section 5.3 Page 98 footnote Page 99 Section 7 Page 101 footnote 4 Page 102 Information governance and honorary research contracts without explicit consent. Text deleted: e.g. access to confidential information Text changed: The requirement for explicit consent applies to research unless disclosure is justified exceptionally in the public interest or has support in law in England and Wales under section 251 of the NHS Act 2006, as amended. Guidance relating to confidentiality and consent in research should be consulted for further details. Section removed Text changed: In England and Wales, regulations under Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006, as amended, specify the very limited circumstances when researchers may use identifiable patient information without consent.. Section removed Example removed as applies to a range of activities To reflect updated regulations, and the transfer of the function of the Patient Information Advisory Group to the National Information Governance Board This section is currently under review To reflect updated regulations, closure of Patient Information Advisory Group and formation of National Information Governance Board This section is currently under review

9 Summary for Higher Education Institutions and the NHS 1 Introduction Research is an integral part of NHS activity. It identifies innovative ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating illness. It provides information on the costs, effectiveness and broader impact of health technologies. It provides the evidence base for the organisation, management and delivery of healthcare services to increase the quality of patient care, ensure better patient outcomes and contribute to improved population health. Research within the NHS relies on working in partnership with the Higher Education sector and is often undertaken by non-nhs staff, including staff employed by Higher Education institutions. This relationship calls for clear understanding about responsibility, accountability, patient safety and duty of care. The Research Governance Frameworks published by the UK health departments require all parties undertaking research within the NHS to be clear about responsibilities and liabilities. One of the ways this is achieved is through appropriate use of honorary research contracts. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) is a partnership of organisations working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research, by harnessing the power of the NHS. The UKCRC is working to promote a streamlined regulatory and governance environment that facilitates high-quality clinical research while protecting the rights, dignity and safety of patients. As part of its activities, it has coordinated the development of a good practice resource pack to help the NHS and other research employers take a consistent approach to handling Human Resources (HR) arrangements for those undertaking research in the NHS. The Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack consists of: a Research Passport system, which provides a mechanism for assuring NHS organisations of the pre-engagement checks conducted on a researcher; and other standardised procedures for handling the HR arrangements for researchers. The Research Passport system and associated procedures have been developed in parallel with the development of other arrangements across the UK to streamline the arrangements for obtaining permission from NHS organisations to undertake research. 2 Background There has previously been no clear, practical, national guidance on the situations in which honorary research contracts are required. NHS organisations have issued honorary research contracts in accordance with policies determined locally, based on a variable interpretation of the legal and employment requirements, and diverse assessment of risks. Researchers who need to work across a number of NHS organisations have needed to obtain multiple honorary research contracts, each involving a variety of preengagement checks. Summary for Higher Education Institutions and the NHS 1

10 3 Impact Inconsistency and the lack of clear guidance about the requirement for honorary research contracts have meant that they have been issued inappropriately in parts of the NHS. Where they have been underused, this has resulted in lack of clarity about liability. Where they have been overused, this has not only wasted the resources and time of HR, Research and Development (R&D) departments and researchers themselves, but has also placed inappropriate liability on NHS organisations. Duplication of pre-engagement checks and inappropriate use of honorary research contracts wastes considerable amounts of time and resource for both HE and NHS organisations. Frustration with inconsistent approaches can harm working relationships. 4 Responsibilities under the Research Governance Frameworks Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as employers of researchers, are responsible for: developing and promoting a high quality research culture in their organisation; ensuring that their staff are supported in, and held to account for, the professional conduct of research; ensuring compliance with all relevant employment and health and safety legislation; and ensuring that they are able to compensate anyone harmed as a result of negligence on the part of staff and others for whom they have liability. Healthcare organisations are responsible for: the quality of care of participants to whom they have a duty of care; being aware of all research undertaken in their organisation, or involving participants, organs, tissue or data obtained through the organisation; and ensuring there is clear accountability and understanding of responsibilities for research involving external partners. 5 Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack 5.1 Summary The resource pack is provided through a dedicated website that provides information targeted appropriately, for those involved in implementing and using the system. For more information see Researchers with a substantive employment contract with one NHS organisation do not need an honorary research contract to conduct research in another NHS organisation. NHS organisations can accept an existing NHS contract of employment, but additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with an honorary clinical contract with one NHS organisation do not need additional honorary research contracts to conduct research in other NHS organisations. Additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with no contractual relationship with the NHS require an honorary research contract only if the planned activities of the researcher involve interacting with individuals in a way that has direct bearing on the quality of their care, i.e. the researcher could foreseeably directly affect the type, quality or extent of prevention, Summary for Higher Education Institutions and the NHS 2

11 diagnosis or treatment of illness or foreseeably cause injury or loss to patients or service users to whom the NHS organisation has a duty of care. Substantive employers retain responsibility for other research activities that do not affect the NHS organisation s duty of care. An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Researchers who do not require an honorary research contract may require additional pre-engagement checks to undertake permitted research activities in NHS organisations. Decisions on requirements for pre-engagement checks, induction and training rest with NHS organisations but should be commensurate with the role of the researcher, the type of research and the duty of care. There should be a system at local level for identification and local managerial control/supervision of all individuals carrying out research in or through the NHS. 5.2 Solutions provided by the resource pack Clear guidance on the requirement for honorary research contracts and preengagement checks, underpinned by sound legal principles. A Research Passport (held by a specific researcher for a specific project or type of project, and specific duration) that clarifies which pre-engagement checks the researcher s employer has conducted, and whether other NHS organisations have accepted these checks. A standard procedure for use where researchers do not require an honorary research contract. 5.3 Benefits of the resource pack Clarifies accountability and responsibility for researchers in the NHS, resulting in increased patient safety and improved risk management. Provides clear HR processes, resulting in more efficient work processes. Minimises duplication of activity, resulting in better use of resources. Facilitates research within the NHS, resulting in faster study set-up. Supports HEI quality assurance of the activities of research staff. 5.4 Key success factors for introducing and implementing the resource pack Collaboration and building trust between partner HEIs and NHS organisations. Agreement and documentation of the roles of different individuals/departments/ organisations. Effective communication between research support and HR departments. Provision of information and support to researchers. Development of clear policies and procedures within organisations. 6 Actions required NHS organisations and HEIs are encouraged to: accept the principles in this good practice resource pack; co-operate in the use of this good practice resource pack; put in place processes and policies in accordance with this good practice resource pack; and inform researchers about local mechanisms to operate this good practice resource pack. Summary for Higher Education Institutions and the NHS 3

13 Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 1 Introduction Research is an integral part of NHS activity. It identifies innovative ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating illness. It provides information on the costs, effectiveness and broader impact of health technologies. It provides the evidence base for the organisation, management and delivery of healthcare services to increase the quality of patient care, ensure better patient outcomes and contribute to improved population health. Research within the NHS relies on working in partnership with the Higher Education sector and is often undertaken by non-nhs staff, including staff employed by Higher Education institutions. This relationship calls for clear understanding about responsibility, accountability, patient safety and duty of care. The Research Governance Frameworks published by the UK health departments require all parties undertaking research within the NHS to be clear about responsibilities and liabilities. One of the ways this is achieved is through using honorary research contracts appropriately. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) is a partnership of organisations working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research, by harnessing the power of the NHS. The UKCRC is working to promote a streamlined regulatory and governance environment that facilitates high-quality clinical research while protecting the rights, dignity and safety of patients. As part of its activities, it has coordinated the development of a good practice resource pack to help research employers and the NHS take a consistent approach to handling Human Resources (HR) arrangements for those undertaking research in the NHS. Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack consists of: a Research Passport system, which provides a mechanism for assuring NHS organisations of the pre-engagement checks conducted on a researcher; and other standardised procedures for handling the HR arrangements for researchers. The Research Passport system and associated procedures have been developed in parallel with the development of other arrangements across the UK to streamline the arrangements for obtaining permission from NHS organisations to undertake research. 2 Benefits of the resource pack Clarifies accountability and responsibility for researchers in the NHS, resulting in increased patient safety and improved risk management. Provides clear HR processes, resulting in more efficient work processes. Minimises duplication of activity, resulting in better use of resources. Facilitates research within the NHS, resulting in faster study set-up. Supports HEI quality assurance of the activities of research staff. 3 The Research Governance Frameworks The Research Governance Frameworks published by the UK Health Departments make clear that appropriate allocation of responsibility, and hence a clear understanding of liability, is fundamental to good overall governance of research. This approach helps everyone work Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 5

14 together to manage the risks, so that the research can go ahead safely, even in difficult settings. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have responsibilities as employers of researchers. Only the employer can be accountable for the suitability of the individual in terms of training, experience and conduct. HEI substantive employers retain the primary accountability and liability for the actions of their researchers. Once NHS organisations have given permission for research that affects their legal duty of quality and common law duty of care, they then accept vicarious liability for harm due to clinical negligence (see Research in the NHS: indemnity arrangements and Responsibilities, liabilities and risk management in clinical trials of medicines). The good practice resource pack clarifies the areas of responsibility, and hence liability, of NHS organisations and HEIs in relation to researchers. Neither NHS organisations nor HEIs should take responsibility for issues that are outside their ability to discharge fully. The guide describes the communication between an NHS organisation and the HE substantive employer of a researcher that is necessary to fulfil the overall governance arrangements. The system also relies on good internal communication within organisations between HR, research support and academic management functions. Organisations will need to agree internal mechanisms for allocating responsibility for the activities described in this guidance. 4 Summary of Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack Researchers with a substantive employment contract with one NHS organisation do not need an honorary research contract to conduct research in another NHS organisation. NHS organisations can accept an existing NHS contract of employment, but additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with an honorary clinical contract with one NHS organisation do not need additional honorary research contracts to conduct research in other NHS organisations. Additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with no contractual relationship with the NHS require an honorary research contract only if the planned activities of the researcher involve interacting with individuals in a way that has a direct bearing on the quality of their care, i.e. the researcher could foreseeably directly affect the type, quality or extent of prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or foreseeably cause injury or loss to patients or service users to whom the NHS organisation has a duty of care. Substantive employers retain responsibility for other research activities that do not affect the NHS organisation s duty of care. An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Researchers who do not require an honorary research contract may require additional pre-engagement checks to undertake permitted research activities in NHS organisations. Decisions on requirements for pre-engagement checks, induction and training rest with NHS organisations but should be commensurate with the role of the researcher, the type of research and the duty of care. There should be a system at local level for identification and local managerial control/supervision of all individuals carrying out research in or through the NHS. Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 6

15 5 Researchers in the NHS Staff employed by HEIs who conduct research in the NHS may be either: i) researchers with no contractual relationship with the NHS; or ii) researchers with a substantive Higher Education contract and an honorary NHS contract, e.g. clinical academics; or iii) researchers who are also clinicians contracted to provide NHS services, e.g. GPs. In addition, undergraduate and postgraduate students in HEIs may conduct research in the NHS. Different arrangements are needed for each of these categories, and these are outlined below. In addition, researchers in any of the above categories may need to conduct research activities across more than one NHS organisation. 5.1 Researchers with no contractual relationship with the NHS Such researchers may conduct research activity in the NHS of two types: activities that have a direct bearing on the quality of care; or activities with no direct bearing on the quality of care. Activities that could have a direct bearing on the quality of care are those that could foreseeably directly affect the type, quality or extent of prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or foreseeably cause injury or loss to an individual to whom the NHS organisation has a duty of care (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts). Where a researcher is conducting activities that will have a direct bearing on the quality of care, the individual will be accountable to the NHS organisation that gave permission for these activities. An honorary research contract should be issued by the NHS organisation to clarify and confirm this accountability. When researchers conduct activities with no direct bearing on the quality of care, the vicarious liability for the actions of the individual rests with the substantive employer, and an honorary research contract should not be issued by the NHS organisation. In both cases it is important that the NHS organisation where the research is being undertaken make arrangements for the appropriate management and/or supervision of the researcher by an individual or individuals with either a substantive or honorary contract with the NHS organisation concerned The Research Passport The NHS organisation where the research will be undertaken will determine whether an honorary research contract is required. Whether an honorary research contract is required or not, pre-engagement checks may be necessary (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts). Pre-engagement checks should be documented in the Research Passport. Detailed information on completing and administering the Research Passport is provided separately (see The Research Passport - information for HE and NHS staff). HEIs may wish to support researchers in completing the Research Passport before other preparations for a research project begin, to minimise delays during study start-up. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Police Act 1997 set out the circumstances in which criminal record disclosures may be obtained and the level of disclosure required for Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 7

16 particular posts. It is, therefore, not possible to request a criminal record disclosure until those conditions are met. The Research Passport relies on a requirement of the researcher to notify her/his employer and the NHS organisations where she/he is conducting research of any changes to health, criminal record, professional registration or any other circumstance that may impact on her/his suitability to conduct research. HEIs should provide systems for researchers to declare this information, and should set in place arrangements for monitoring and ensuring compliance with this requirement. HEIs may wish to reserve the right to conduct random checks on criminal records Researchers conducting activities with no direct bearing on the quality of care The NHS organisation hosting the research should: ensure through the Research Passport system that appropriate pre-engagement checks have been completed (see The Research Passport - information for HE and NHS staff); ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data; arrange for any additional pre-engagement checks required by the research activity to be undertaken (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts); make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of the research activity; issue a letter outlining the researcher s responsibilities to the NHS organisation, copying it to the researcher s employer (see Letter of access for researchers who do not require an honorary research contract); give permission for the research. The HE substantive employer should: share information about its employee through the Research Passport system with the NHS organisation hosting the research; ensure through contracts, codes of conduct, training and disciplinary arrangements that staff using confidential information in research understand and exercise a duty of confidentiality; maintain records of the research activity of its employee Researchers conducting activities that will have a direct bearing on the quality of care The NHS organisation hosting the research should: ensure through the Research Passport system that appropriate pre-engagement checks have been completed (see The Research Passport - information for HE and NHS staff); ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data; arrange for any additional pre-engagement checks required by the research activity to be undertaken (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts); make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of the research activity; issue an honorary research contract, copied to the researcher s employer (see Example honorary research contract); give permission for the research, which should include confirmation of NHS Indemnity for clinical negligence through NHS schemes. The HE substantive employer should: Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 8

17 share information about its employee through the Research Passport system with the NHS organisation hosting the research; ensure through contracts, codes of conduct, training and disciplinary arrangements that staff using confidential information in research understand and exercise a duty of confidentiality; maintain records of the research activity of its employee. 5.2 Researchers with a substantive HE contract and an honorary NHS contract, e.g. clinical academics Individuals with a substantive university contract and honorary NHS contract are commonly referred to as clinical academics. Such individuals include medical staff as well as other clinical staff. Clinical academics do not need an honorary research contract in order to undertake research in the partner NHS organisation where they undertake their clinical duties. This will be covered by their honorary clinical contract. When clinical academics wish to conduct research in other NHS organisations, this should be covered by an agreement between the NHS organisation where the clinical academic undertakes clinical duties, and the NHS organisation in which it is proposed to undertake research. This is the same as for staff with substantive NHS contracts, for whom honorary research contracts are not required. In accordance with the recommendations of the Follett Report, universities and NHS organisations responsible for medical education and research are expected to have joint strategic planning arrangements, with joint subsidiary mechanisms responsible for human resource policies and procedures for staff with academic and clinical duties. The NHS organisation hosting the research should: liaise with the NHS organisation providing the honorary clinical contract to ensure that appropriate pre-engagement checks are in place (see NHS Employers Occupational Health Smart Cards); arrange for any additional pre-engagement checks required by the research activity to be undertaken (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts); check whether an appropriate agreement is in place between the organisations, or confirm arrangements by letter to the NHS organisation issuing the honorary clinical contract (see Example letter of agreement between NHS organisations); make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of the research activity; inform the NHS organisation issuing the honorary clinical contract about the individual s proposed research (see Example letter of access for NHS researchers); give permission for the research, which should include confirmation of NHS Indemnity for clinical negligence through NHS schemes. The NHS organisation issuing the honorary clinical contract should: share information about its staff member with the HR department of the NHS organisation hosting the research (see NHS Employers Occupational Health Smart Cards); confirm acceptance of the arrangements set out by the NHS organisation hosting the research; maintain records of the research activity of its employee; ensure the university employer is aware, through agreed partnership arrangements, about the research activity of its employees. Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 9

18 5.3 Researchers who are contracted to provide NHS services Researchers with substantive university employment contracts who are also Independent Contractors (e.g. GPs) may wish to undertake research involving patients outside their routine clinical practice. Where such a researcher, in her/his capacity as a university employee, is conducting activities that will have a direct bearing on the quality of care, the individual will be accountable to the NHS organisation where the research is being undertaken for this activity. An honorary research contract should be issued to the individual by the NHS organisation to clarify and confirm this accountability. The arrangements described in section should be used. Where such a researcher, in her/his capacity as a university employee, is conducting activities that will not have a direct and foreseeable impact on the duty of care, the arrangements described above in should be followed. 5.4 Undergraduate or postgraduate students Undergraduate and postgraduate students may conduct research as part of their healthcare placements. A memorandum of understanding between the HEI and the NHS organisation will be in place for healthcare placements. This should confirm the accountability arrangements between the organisations. Students on healthcare placements should have appropriate pre-engagement checks conducted when they start their healthcare placement in the NHS (see NHS Employers safer recruitment guidance). Any research conducted as part of healthcare placements should come within the existing arrangements for such students. Students should be supervised within clinical settings by NHS employees or HE staff with honorary clinical or research contracts who themselves are covered by NHS Indemnity. Therefore, students conducting research as part of their healthcare placements should not be issued with honorary research contracts by the NHS organisation. Postgraduate students may conduct research within the NHS other than through healthcare placements. If the student is not appropriately clinically qualified to undertake research activities that may have a direct bearing on the quality of care, the student should be supervised by a clinical supervisor who is an NHS employee or an HEI employee with an honorary clinical or research contract. Therefore, students supervised in this way should not be issued with honorary research contracts by the NHS organisation. Where a postgraduate student is appropriately clinically qualified and experienced, direct supervision is not appropriate and the student must be issued with an honorary research contract by the NHS organisation if the research will have a direct bearing on the quality of care. Pre-engagement checks on students should be arranged by the HEI through an appropriate department, e.g. Registry. Student projects may occasionally take place across more than one NHS organisation, in which case information about pre-engagement checks may be shared using the Research Passport system. The NHS organisation hosting the research should: ensure that appropriate pre-engagement checks are in place through the Research Passport system (see The Research Passport - information for HE and NHS staff); ensure that arrangements are in place for handling access to identifiable patient data; arrange for any additional pre-engagement checks required by the research activity to be undertaken (see Pre-engagement checks and honorary research contracts); make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of the research activity; Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 10

19 issue an honorary research contract, where required, copied to the student s HEI (see Example honorary research contract); give permission for the research, which should include confirmation of NHS Indemnity for clinical negligence through NHS schemes. The student s HEI should: ensure through codes of conduct and training that students using confidential information in research understand and exercise a duty of confidentiality; maintain records of the research activity of its students; maintain supervision of the academic aspects of the student s research activity. In any of the above situations, where NHS staff are undertaking a course of study that includes a research component, e.g. a nurse undertaking a PhD, arrangements available for NHS staff should be used. 5.5 Researchers conducting research where the participants are NHS staff All employers have a common-law duty of care for the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. Where research involves NHS employees as participants, the duty of care of the NHS organisation to its employees is non-delegable and the NHS organisation will always be liable, regardless of who employs the researcher. Where the individual conducting the research is not substantively employed by the NHS organisation, an honorary research contract will not affect accountability or liability and should not be issued by the NHS organisation. The NHS organisation hosting the research and employing the participants should: make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of the research activity; ensure that the NHS organisation s duties towards its employees are met, e.g. the requirements of the Data Protection Act relating to personal information about its employees; issue a letter outlining the researcher s responsibilities, copied to the researcher s employer (see Example letter of access for researchers who do not require an honorary research contract); give permission for the research, which should include confirmation of indemnity for harm to employee participants through NHS schemes. The HE substantive employer should: ensure that staff using confidential information in research understand and exercise a duty of confidentiality through contracts, codes of conduct, training and disciplinary arrangements; maintain records of the research activity of its employee. When NHS employees take part in research as participants outside work, e.g. through professional bodies, their participation is outside the NHS employer s duty of care, even if their participation makes use of knowledge or experience gained as a result of their employment. If a researcher with no contractual relationship with the NHS conducts such research, the research has no impact on the NHS organisation and an honorary research contract should not be issued by the NHS organisation. 5.6 Research hosted by organisations outside the NHS Participants in research may sometimes be identified by virtue of their past or present status as patients or service users of an NHS organisation, e.g. where potential participants are Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 11

20 identified from medical records by a clinical care team, but the research is then conducted by a separate organisation. When individuals identified by virtue of their past or present status as patients or service users of an NHS organisation take part in research that is hosted by a university, the NHS organisation does not retain a duty of care for any healthcare provision during the course of the research by the university hosting the research. It is therefore not appropriate for the NHS organisation to issue honorary research contracts to researchers in these circumstances. This resource pack has been developed with help from The UK Health Departments NHS R&D Forum NHS Employers UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) UK Clinical Research Network (UKCRN) Universities UK Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Medical Schools Council (formerly CHMS) Information for research support and HR staff in Higher Education Institutions 12

23 Information for HR staff in NHS organisations 1 Introduction Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack Research is an integral part of NHS activity. It identifies innovative ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating illness. It provides information on the costs, effectiveness and broader impact of health technologies. It provides the evidence base to inform the organisation, management and delivery of healthcare services to increase the quality of patient care, ensure better patient outcomes and contribute to improved population health. Research activity raises a number of HR management issues for NHS organisations. Research within the NHS is often undertaken by non-nhs staff, particularly researchers employed by universities. This raises issues about responsibility, accountability, patient safety and duty of care. Research is also frequently undertaken across a number of NHS organisations and requires arrangements for both NHS and non-nhs staff to work across those organisations. The Research Governance Frameworks published by the UK health departments require all parties undertaking research within the NHS to be clear about responsibilities and liabilities. One of the ways this is achieved is through using honorary research contracts appropriately. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) is a partnership of organisations working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research, by harnessing the power of the NHS. The UKCRC is working to promote a streamlined regulatory and governance environment that facilitates high-quality clinical research while protecting the rights, dignity and safety of patients. As part of its activities, it has coordinated the development of a good practice resource pack to help the NHS and other research employers take a consistent approach to handling Human Resources (HR) arrangements for those undertaking research in the NHS. The Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack consists of: a Research Passport system, which provides a mechanism for assuring NHS organisations of the pre-engagement checks conducted on a researcher; and other standardised procedures for handling the HR arrangements for researchers. The Research Passport system and associated procedures have been developed in parallel with the development of other arrangements across the UK to streamline the arrangements for obtaining permission from NHS organisations to undertake research. 2 Benefits of the good practice resource pack Clarifies accountability and responsibility for researchers in the NHS, resulting in increased patient safety and improved risk management. Provides clear HR processes, resulting in more efficient work processes. Minimises duplication of activity, resulting in better use of resources. Facilitates research within the NHS, resulting in faster study set-up. Supports HEI quality assurance of the activities of their research staff. 3 The Research Governance Frameworks The Research Governance Frameworks published by the UK Health Departments make clear that appropriate allocation of responsibility, and hence a clear understanding of liability, Information for HR staff in NHS organisations 15

24 is fundamental to good overall governance of research. It helps everyone work together to manage the risks, so that the research can go ahead safely, even in difficult settings. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have responsibilities as employers of researchers. Only the employer can be accountable for the suitability of the individual in terms of training, experience and conduct. HEI substantive employers retain the primary accountability and liability for the actions of their researchers. Once NHS organisations have given permission for research that affects their legal duty of quality and common law duty of care, they then accept vicarious liability for harm due to clinical negligence (see Research in the NHS: indemnity arrangements and Responsibilities, liabilities and risk management in clinical trials of medicines). The good practice resource pack clarifies the areas of responsibility, and hence liability, of NHS organisations and HEIs in relation to researchers. Neither NHS organisations nor HEIs should take responsibility for issues that are outside their ability to discharge them fully. The guide describes the communication between an NHS organisation and the substantive employer of a researcher (i.e. the HEI) that is necessary to fulfil the overall governance arrangements. The system also relies on good internal communication within organisations between HR and research support functions. Organisations will need to agree internal mechanisms for allocating responsibility for the activities described in this guidance. NHS organisations should make arrangements for appropriate management and supervision of all research activity for which they are responsible. This includes ongoing oversight of the security and health and safety of individuals. 4 Summary of Research in the NHS HR Good Practice Resource Pack Researchers with a substantive employment contract with one NHS organisation do not need an honorary research contract to conduct research in another NHS organisation. NHS organisations can accept an existing NHS contract of employment, but additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with an honorary clinical contract with one NHS organisation do not need additional honorary research contracts to conduct research in other NHS organisations. Additional pre-engagement checks may occasionally be required. NHS organisations should inform the researcher s substantive employer of her/his activities in their organisations. Researchers with no contractual relationship with the NHS require an honorary research contract only if the planned activities of the researcher involve interacting with individuals in a way that has a direct bearing on the quality of their care, i.e. the researcher could foreseeably directly affect the type, quality or extent of prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or foreseeably cause injury or loss to patients or service users to whom the NHS organisation has a duty of care. Substantive employers retain responsibility for other research activities that do not affect the NHS organisation s duty of care. An honorary research contract does not confer the right of access to confidential information for research without explicit consent. Researchers who do not require an honorary research contract may require additional pre-engagement checks to undertake permitted research activities in NHS organisations. Information for HR staff in NHS organisations 16

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